Featured Case Studies
Explore the water management practices and strategies of various farmers, organizations, and agencies.
Frank Leeds: Exploring the History and Practice of Dry Farming in Napa Valley (Video)
Produced by Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), this video features Frank Leeds who describes the history and practice of his extensive dry farm experience in vineyards.
Dry Farming Vineyards: An Interview with Lauren Leeds Pesch (Podcast)
Dry farming is more than just skipping irrigation—it’s a deliberate practice that starts with soil stewardship. In this podcast, Lauryn Leeds Pesch of Chavez & Leeds Family Vineyards and Leeds & Pesch Vineyard Consulting shares her deep-rooted knowledge in dry farming, a technique that relies solely on stored winter and spring rainfall to meet a…
Dry Farm Research & Education Project (CSWA) (Video)
California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance – in partnership with Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) – conducted a dry farming project funded by DWR. The project involved research on soil quality and water movement; map of dry farmed vineyards; economic analysis: and numerous educational resources.
Dry Farm Research & Education Project | Maps, Videos, Guide (CAFF) (Video)
Learn about the science of dry farming, economic analysis, maps, and grower case studies.
Harley Farms: Water Stewardship in Action at Goat Dairy (Video)
Harley Farms Goat Dairy saves 40,000 gallons of water annually through rainwater catchment and water recycling while supporting sustainable agriculture and specialty crop production.
Pacific Institute: Advancing Sustainable Water and Climate Solutions
Learn how the Pacific Institute advances sustainable water management, climate resilience, environmental stewardship, and innovative solutions for water conservation and resource protection.
Cox Ranch: Restoration Projects Treat Ag Water Runoff
Learn how Cox Ranch uses wetland and riparian restoration to treat agricultural runoff, improve water quality, remove sediment, and support sustainable farming practices along the San Joaquin River.
Ponds Project: Supporting Farmers and Protecting Salmon Habitat
The Ponds Project supports agriculture and protects coho salmon and steelhead habitat through off-stream water storage ponds and improved streamflow management.
Suncrest Nurseries: Nursery Water Reuse
Learn how Suncrest Nurseries reduced water use by 50% through a tailwater recovery and recirculation system that conserves water and captures nutrients for sustainable plant production.
Abbott Family Farm: Avocados, Mulching and Smart Irrigation
Learn how Abbott Family Farm uses organic mulching and micro-sprinkler irrigation to conserve water, improve soil health, reduce disease, and support sustainable avocado farming.
Dry Farming Apples: When Less Water Produces Better Fruit
Dry farming apples in Sebastopol helped improve flavor, texture, and storage life while conserving water through sustainable and climate-smart farming practices.
Willits Organic Farm: Small-Scale Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture (Video)
Learn about the City of Willits partnered with a 1 acre farm to demonstrate rainwater reuse in this short video.
Volumetric Pricing and Conjunctive Use: A Smarter Approach to Water Management
Learn how Alta Irrigation District uses volumetric water pricing, groundwater recharge, and conjunctive water management to improve water reliability and agricultural sustainability.
Fetzer Vineyards: Sustainable Water Stewardship
Learn how Fetzer Vineyards improves irrigation efficiency through drip irrigation, water monitoring, on-site pond storage, and sustainable water stewardship practices.
Audubon Stewardship Project: Vegetated Waterways and Riparian Restoration (Video)
Learn how vegetated waterways and riparian restoration projects in California improve water quality, reduce erosion, and create valuable wildlife habitat through natural land stewardship practices.
Lindencroft Farm: Rainwater Capture in Farm Ponds (Video)
Learn how Lindencroft Farm uses rainwater capture and farm ponds to store irrigation water, improve drought resilience, and support sustainable specialty crop farming in this video.
American Farms: Minimum Tillage and Permanent Beds
Learn how American Farms uses minimum tillage, permanent beds, and transplanting techniques to conserve water, improve soil health, and increase sustainable vegetable crop production.
Adragna Ranch: Low-Flow Sprinklers and Soil Moisture Monitoring in Walnuts
Learn how Adragna Ranch uses low-flow sprinklers, soil moisture monitoring, and drought-tolerant cover crops to improve water efficiency and sustainable walnut orchard management.
Limoneira: Low-Flow Sprinklers and No-Till Farming in Avocados
Learn how Limoneira Company uses low-flow sprinklers, compost, mulch, and no-till farming practices to conserve water, improve soil health, and support sustainable orchard management.
Red Rock Ranch: Integrated On-Farm Drainage Management in the Central Valley
Learn how Red Rock Ranch uses Integrated On-Farm Drainage Management (IFDM) to reduce salinity, remove selenium, reuse drainage water, and improve sustainable farming in California’s Central Valley.
Pajaro Valley: Groundwater Management for Long-Term Resilience
Learn how the Pajaro Valley is developing sustainable groundwater management through water recycling, aquifer recharge, conservation programs, and community collaboration.
Molino Creek Farming Collective: Orchards & Tomatoes (Video)
Learn about the Molino Creek Farming Collective and their water conservation practices in this grower video.
Straus Family Creamery: Turning Dairy Waste Into Water and Energy Solutions
Learn how Straus Family Creamery uses recycled water and methane digestion technology to conserve water, generate renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a sustainable dairy farm.
Dixon Ridge Farms: Walnut Orchard Irrigation Innovations
Learn how Dixon Ridge Farms improved walnut orchard irrigation efficiency by suspending irrigation lines in trees, reducing energy use, lowering emissions, and supporting healthier cover crops.
Modern Irrigation Monitoring Improves Water Efficiency in California Agriculture
Learn how advanced irrigation monitoring and communication systems in southeastern California improved water efficiency, maintained crop yields, and supported sustainable agricultural productivity.
Reiter Berry Farms: Precision Irrigation and Water Conservation (Video)
Learn how Reiter Berry Farms uses a tension-based irrigation monitoring system to reduce water use by 30% through precision irrigation and smart water management practices.
Yolo Bypass: Managing Land for Farming, Flood Protection, and Wildlife
Learn how the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area supports flood protection, sustainable agriculture, and wildlife habitat through innovative multi-benefit land and water management strategies.
San Joaquin Valley: Innovative Water Reuse Solutions for Growing Forage
Learn how innovative water reuse methods in California’s San Joaquin Valley use drainage water to grow forage crops while improving irrigation efficiency and addressing drainage challenges sustainably.
Burroughs Family Farms: Soil Management and Climate-Friendly Farming (Video)
Learn how Burroughs Family Farms uses soil management and climate-friendly farming practices to support organic almonds, pasture-based dairy production, water conservation, and agricultural sustainability.
Lone Willow Ranch: Regenerative Ranching (Video)
Learn how Lone Willow Ranch uses regenerative ranching and USDA conservation practices to improve soil health, conserve water, store carbon, and reduce climate change impacts.
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Photo Credits: Lan Ngo & Brittany App.